Originally Posted by
Psimet2001
Like anything - it's not that simple.
I don't care how anyone else is using strava in whatever area they are, or how cool it is for them.
Around here is gives a specific segment of guys the motivation to ride in horribly dangerous and disgusting ways all so they can say they "beat" someone on Strava. These are the same guys that "don't race crits" because "they are too dangerous". They're the group of enthusiast riders that fancy themselves racers but won't actually race (because they usually cause wrecks when they do).
Riding on open roads is NOT RACING. Strava encourages horrible behaviour on open roads.
If you want to compete with others then do it in a race on a course that is closed and has safety checks in place. Pin a number on. Races aren't won on numbers, but the entire premise of Strava is that they are.
As a promoter, heavily involved member of the local cycling community, industry OEM, Team owner, sponsor, etc - I despise Strava because of how much more dangerous it has made the already testosterone filled Tuesday night worlds rides. Racing on open roads is for stupid kids in alley cats.....not old rich guys in suburbs.
The fact that the sanctioning body that I have to use for my races, the same one that is our UCI and Olympic organization, has partnered with Strava just makes me ill and makes my skin crawl. It's like the NHRA endorsing illegal street races.
Downhill segments, segments with lights/stop signs and other ridiculous things ARE dangerous and only idiots try to KOM those. Natural selection, IMO.
Uphill segments for the most part are very safe. Go as fast as you can, you won't endanger anyone going 10mph for 3 miles...lets be serious now, without playing devils advocate.
I've used Strava to look up a race from the year before and see how fast the course was and how fast people were going on a certain climb. Then I'll go and ride that hill to see what I can do and whats realistic to expect. I also look at Strava to find local climbs and see what my friends are riding. I use it to track progress on loops that I frequent. Use it wisely and its great.
People sprint off and hammer on group rides all the time, before Strava.
What has been said numerous times, on this forum as well, is that racers seem to have some kind of massive hate for Strava. They don't see it as a competitive thing and its not as legit as their local races. Yes races are difficult and no one is trying to belittle their accomplishments, but just because you won a crit race doesn't mean you're a better rider than someone who doesn't race. I've seen lots of club riders who don't race that have way better pack riding skills than cat 3/4/5's. Hell you can go from cat 5 to cat 3 just by fitness alone with terrible pack riding skills.
Strava is competitive if the group of people on Strava make it competitive. It's like a time trial except the roads aren't blocked off and the segments are much shorter.
Dangerous riders are gonna be dangerous, Strava or not.